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"By the way, everyone get ready. Get dressed and grab your weapons. The World Government intends to move against me, and there's no telling what might happen next. When that time comes, we may really need to rely on all of your strength."
Ikki said.
Everyone nodded at his words. This time, even Perona didn't argue against joining the fight, likely because she had no desire to be taken care of by Ikki again.
Ikki had already told Robin and the others about the alliance between the World Government and Blackbeard, so none of them were surprised when he brought it up again.
If anything, their expressions turned indignant.
"The World Government never changes, does it? I can't say I'm surprised by their decision. They once sent us out to search for ancient weapons."
"Captain Ikki, the value you've shown is no less than an ancient warrior's. It's only natural they'd want to control you and turn you into another tool of theirs."
Kalifa said.
"The World Government really is cunning. They seize whatever powerful force they can find, then use it to rule the world without mercy. If it weren't for exactly that, our Revolutionary Army would never have needed to form in the first place."
Belo Betty said, her eyes shining.
To Belo Betty, the World Government's decision to move against Ikki was good news. Their actions were bound to push him into open opposition with the World Government, and in a sense, straight toward the Revolutionary Army. She could hardly help being pleased about that.
Ikki had a well-known fondness for famous swords, and Belo Betty had considered more than once that if the Revolutionary Army could supply him with enough of them, he might actually be persuaded to join their cause.
Unfortunately, famous swords weren't easy to come by.
If the Revolutionary Army had truly managed to gather enough of them and tracked Ikki down the moment he'd arrived in this world, he likely would have joined without much hesitation, if only to get through his early days here and establish himself faster.
By now, though, recruiting him had become far harder. In terms of raw strength, his crew could already rival the Four Emperors, at least where the top fighters were concerned.
The weaker members of his crew could still only manage a burst of high-intensity spiritual pressure at best, but that never worried Ikki in the slightest.
"Let's leave the chat here for now. I'll head back, and I'll call on you if anything comes up."
With that, Ikki returned to Marine Headquarters through the gym door under everyone's watchful eyes.
"So you've finally decided to come back, Captain Ikki? I thought you'd already fallen into some woman's arms."
Nami said, hands on her hips, pouting at him as he reappeared.
"Welcome back, Captain Ikki."
Nojiko said with a laugh.
"Really, Nojiko, don't go easy on him like that. This is exactly the moment he deserves a good scolding."
Nami said.
Nojiko only smiled at that, offering no response, which was exactly what Nami had expected of her.
"Nojiko's gentle about it. Nami, you could stand to learn something from her."
Ikki walked over and patted Nami on the shoulder as he said it.
Nami let out a cold snort, just as she was about to shoot down his suggestion. But before she could, a familiar aura and an unfamiliar one both entered her Observation Haki perception.
Nami had been keeping her Haki active the whole time to watch for anyone approaching, so she caught the presence heading toward their room right away. Nojiko and Ikki sensed it too, a moment later.
"This aura belongs to Hina. The other one's unfamiliar."
Nami said, looking toward the door.
"I'd bet it's a beautiful woman. What do you think, Captain Ikki?"
Nojiko said with a laugh.
"If she really is a beautiful woman, I'd be delighted. I'd be even happier if Hina brought her here meaning to introduce her to me as a future wife."
Ikki said, puffing out his chest without a shred of hesitation.
"You really can't hide your appetite for even a moment, can you?"
Nami said, shaking her head.
"If he could, he wouldn't really be Captain Ikki, would he?"
Nojiko said with a laugh.
"Shame Hina had to show up right now. I'd guess she's here to call us to assembly and get ready for the war."
Ikki shrugged and walked over to open the door.
Hina stood there with her hand still raised to knock, and beside her was a strikingly voluptuous Marine officer.
"Ikki."
Hina said.
"Hey, Hina, good to see you again."
Ikki waved to her, then glanced at the woman beside her, a glint flashing in his eyes.
"Hello, Kujaku."
Ikki said.
"Hello, Ikki."
The Marine officer, codenamed Kujaku, smiled and nodded.
"It seems you two already know each other, so I don't need to bother with introductions."
Hina said.
"Of course I know her. She's got quite the connection to Gion."
Ikki said with a smile, his eyes drifting up and down over Kujaku without quite meaning to.
The woman standing before him looked exactly like the Kujaku he remembered from the comics back home: golden hair, a well-fitted hat, and dresses cut close to the body. That combination was distinctive enough that recognizing her came easily.
"Hehe, sounds like Gion-nee already told you about me. That saves us the introductions, then."
Kujaku said with a smile.
Ikki only smiled back without saying anything. After all, he hadn't come to know Kujaku through any introduction from Gion. He'd known her from the comics all along.
"You call Gion 'big sister,' but as far as I know, she's the same generation as your grandmother, Vice Admiral Tsuru. Isn't addressing her that way a little inappropriate?"
Ikki asked.
"Can't be helped, really. Gion-nee just looks so young that calling her old feels wrong somehow."
Kujaku said, spreading her hands with a laugh.
"Fair enough, I suppose."
Ikki said, stroking his chin and nodding.
If Kujaku started calling Gion "grandma" instead, things would only grow awkward between the three of them later, especially if Ikki ever ended up crossing swords with Kujaku herself. Sisters was simply the tidier arrangement.
It had to be said, Kujaku's looks were exactly Ikki's type. Given the chance, he wouldn't have minded trying to win her over.